Just a month after being introduced as a judge, JM Yosures is still adjusting to the shift from once standing on It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) stage as a contender to now sitting on the judging panel alongside OPM hitmaker Jonathan “Mr. Music” Manalo and Punong Hurado Louie “The Maestro” Ocampo.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the singer reflected on the pressures, learnings, and fulfillment that come with judging a competition he once competed in himself.
“Actually, from being a TNT fan pa lang tapos ngayon [hurado] na. Nage-gets ko actually yung feelings ng iba na parang may kaniya-kaniya silang opinions sa mga contestants and even sa mga hurado kasi I was once in their position.”
READ: Jonathan Manalo, JM Yosures join 'Showtime' as 'TNT Duets 2' hurados
Now seeing the competition from a different seat, JM said he welcomes the varied perspectives that come with the role. “Ngayon as a TNT hurado, wine-welcome ko rin yung mga opinions ng mga tao and of course, yung mga co-hurados ko rin. So ang dami daming learnings and I’m just so excited about this new path for me as a TNT hurado and alumnus ng Tawag ng Tanghalan.”
Despite the excitement, he acknowledged the weight of the responsibility, saying: “It’s an honor. Nakaka-pressure but I’m so happy.”
JM also shared his thoughts on what he finds more challenging – being a contestant or being a hurado? For him, nothing compares to the pressure of competing.
“Of course, maging contestant. Because yung pressure of being ‘enough’ [nandoon] kasi you are being criticized not only by the hurados or the people around you, but you are also criticizing yourself. Ang daming struggles being a contestant.”
Judging, he explained, becomes different when guided by empathy and intention. “Pero sa pagiging hurado naman, if you are coming as a loving brother [to your fellow contestants], lalo brothers and sisters kayong mga sumasali sa [TNT], kung galing ka sa love parang it’s not a difficult job because you want them to be better.” He added, “If good yung intentions mo it’s talaga an easy job.”
JM’s perspective is rooted in experience. Before becoming a hurado, he made history in 2021 as the Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 4 Grand Champion, winning the finals with a Lady Gaga medley. His journey stood out as he never experienced having the gong struck for him nor sent for a TNT resbak. After his victory, he went on to serve as a judge for TNT Go or Gong Online Auditions.
Working alongside industry veterans has been another meaningful part of the experience for JM. Speaking about his fellow judges, he said, “Grabe kasi mga idol ko sila e. And bihira natin silang kumanta and mag-perform talaga. Iba yung tenga nila compared sa aming mga singers.” He then recalled a moment that highlighted their expertise: “Actually si Sir Jonathan one time, nag-record kami ng song, pina-stop niya ako. Sabi niya ‘flat ka’ pero ako hindi ko alam na nagfa-flat na ako.”
JM also noted how each hurado brings something different to the table. “Iba-iba kami ng strengths din. Sina Sir Jonathan talagang ang dami nilang strengths. Ako naman feeling ko, yung strength ko bilang hurado is somehow related to being a contestant, to being in their shoes, and being empathetic towards them. Talagang being nangangarap.”
For JM, sitting beside the people he once looked up to carries deep meaning. “It’s just so nice to be with Sir Jonathan and Sir Louie kasi sila yung pumuno ng pangarap ko dati. Ngayon, I’m being a co-hurado with them. Somehow baka maging part rin tayo ng part ng isang nangangarap din.”
Looking ahead, JM shared a simple Christmas wish tied closely to his career. “Siyempre sana more more trabaho, more projects, gusto ko ‘yan. Sana peace of mind rin and laging maging masaya.”
Apart from JM, OPM hitmaker Jonathan, in a previous PUSH ABS-CBN exclusive interview, also spoke about his own experience as a TNT hurado.
“Sobra akong naha-happy kasi ang dami ng talent na nakikita ko. Nakikita ko talaga kung gaano ka-talented ang Pinoy pagdating sa pagkanta.” He added that judging is never easy. “Nahihirapan ako [mag-judge] kasi minsan kailangan talagang i-gong eh kapag hindi perfect yung peformance. Pero kasama talaga siya sa competition.”
Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets 2 marks the second season of the TNT Duets franchise, where contestants perform alongside their partners in hopes of becoming the season’s grand champion. The first season aired in 2023, hailed JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, known as “Sidlak Bisdak,” as grand champions.